Applying Movie Science in Real Life: Trajectory

Today's science lesson wasn't anything big or exciting; it consisted of watching a movie.

I know movies can be great educational tools but I often wonder how much they learn and retain from movies.  


I can't always tell how well they are understanding or paying attention to the movie.  I usually assume if they aren't asking questions they are understanding. I assume if they asked to watch the movie they're paying attention.

But I never really know for sure.

Today, once our schoolwork was all done and we headed out for a walk, my youngest showed me that he can learn a lot from watching movies.  

He applied the concepts we were learning about in the film to real life.  

It was refreshing to know that watching movies is a great way for my kids to retain information and to know that my kids can make connections from what we're learning about to how they apply in real life.

Evan wanted to watch another Science of Disney Imagineering video today.  I put the move in and settled down to watch with Evan.  Alec joined us and we all learned about trajectory.

The Science of Disney Imagineering: Trajectory Classroom Edition [Interactive DVD]
We decided to go for a walk at a local river walk and the boys were thrilled to get out.  We hadn't planned on the path being flooded from snow melt and came home with wet pant cuffs and soaked shoes.  The boys didn't seem to mind too much though.  They took off running and chasing each other.

The boys threw snowballs at one another and then decided to turn their attention to trying to get their snowballs to land in the river.

 Evan picked up a clump of snow, made a ball and told me he was using trajectory in real life.  He then threw the snowball and said "See?  Trajectory!"  

I asked him what part was trajectory and he told me the path the ball took through the air.

It was fabulous to see the boys applying science concepts in real life.

Running through the puddles 

Watching ice floes 

Alec loved watching all the sparkling icy snow 

It's a race! 

Evan, testing out the trajectory of snowballs.

 Linking Up With:


clairejustine  

Comments

  1. Raising SamuelsApril 10, 2016 at 6:41 PM

    Hi, Mother of 3! I think TV and movies get such a bad rep, but I think they can truly have children learn from them. It looks like you all had a wonderful week! Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mother of 3April 11, 2016 at 7:26 AM

      So true! I find that as long as the kids are really engaged and interested in what we're watching they absorb so much.

      Delete
  2. MichelleApril 10, 2016 at 7:00 PM

    Hello neighbor from the Social Butterfly Sunday link up...wonderful post here and I think it is wonderful that you can create lessons from movies. One advantage of being a homeschool mom/teacher, you can teach based on your children's interests.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mother of 3April 11, 2016 at 7:27 AM

      Yes! I love that I can use their interests to guide us. It makes for such a fun learning environment for us all.

      Delete

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